alt Hacker NewsThe state reserves some of the harshest punishments for counterfeiters, since large scale counterfeit operations is one of the few crimes that is an attack on the state itself.
The US secret service was originally created specifically to combat counterfeit money, it's no surprise that they would keep tracking this man for a decade.
This man is unusual because he did the tiniest amount of one the most severely punished crime.
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I have two "counterfeiting" stories - both of which are humorous even though one involve the Secret Service.
The first was in college. A buddy of mine scribbled a facsimile of a $20 onto a piece of paper with a green marker. He then handed it to the checkout clerk at the cafeteria who took it and started to hand them back change. He stopped her and said "no, no it's a joke - look at what I just handed you". She was embarrassed but they both laughed together.
The second story which does involve the Secret Service is when my friend had a bunch of presents that he had wrapped and put in his front porch until was going to depart for a party. One of the presents was wrapped in a sheet of uncut dollar bills - which you could buy for that purpose.
A neppy neighbor saw it through the window and called the police who called the FBI who called the Secret Service who came knocking on his door to investigate. They were also embarrassed but I don't think they laughed. My friend told him he understands that they're just doing their job and that it's an important one.
Also a fascinating read: The Nazi counterfeiting operation, intended to devalue the Pound and crash the British economy
"since large scale counterfeit operations is one of the few crimes that is an attack on the state itself"
If somebody beats someone else up, to teach him a lesson - this is also a direct attack on the state itself, the monopoly on violence.
But "large scale"? This old man with his crude tools and bad 1 dollar notes?
"The press adored him and the public sympathized with him. "
That is probably the bit, that got them engaged. Cannot have this set as an example that works out for someone.